Green Energy- Welcome to Rolling Blackouts During Bitter Cold!

[morbidbattlecry]

Texas is experiencing rolling blackouts today. They are cycling the power off for 1/2-1 hour at a time in several service areas due to the increased demand the bitter winter weather has placed on the grid. Surprisingly to me, they are actually stating that a big part of the reason for that- half of Texas's Wind Power is off line- it's FROZEN!

We need more of this wonderful new power! If only it was 100% of our energy, well at least 50% because, we can't forget about Unicorn Farts as part of the enviro sensitive mix.....

They should tie a greenie to the windmill and light them on fire to un thaw the turbines!

Welcome to Third World America- and we are doing it to ourselves!

https://abc13.com/texas-power-grid-o...outs/10340431/

Texas' Grid and turbines aren't designed to handle large spikes and colt temperatures. Here in Ohio we have Several wind farms and our turbines are running just fine.

[lowprone]

On top of that California's last two remaining nuclear reactors producing electric power ( Diablo Canyon Nuclear Generating Station )
are scheduled to be decommissioned in 24-25, no more electricity for you !

[Diamondback]

On top of that California's last two remaining nuclear reactors producing electric power ( Diablo Canyon Nuclear Generating Station )
are scheduled to be decommissioned in 24-25, no more electricity for you !

And then no doubt they'll come demanding more of our Bonneville hydropower that by statute is supposed to be ONLY for WA/OR/ID...

[Grand58742]

Apparently, I'm seeing report that the commercial areas of some of the major cities (Houston and DFW) were still going full blast while the rolling blackouts were going on.

Anyone in those areas that can confirm?

[Esq.]

Texas' Grid and turbines aren't designed to handle large spikes and colt temperatures. Here in Ohio we have Several wind farms and our turbines are running just fine.

The Texas grid handles summer spikes just fine. The issue is that literally half of the wind power is off line and this has been an ever increasing portion of our power. I don't really give a shit WHY its off line, its unacceptable for power supplies to be unreliable.

That's third world level bullshit. If the grid is nearly always at capacity the solution--because this is America, is to build MORE CAPACITY. Anything else is fi'ng stupidity. Reliable power isn't negotiable in a supposed First World nation.

[Esq.]

Apparently, I'm seeing report that the commercial areas of some of the major cities (Houston and DFW) were still going full blast while the rolling blackouts were going on.

Anyone in those areas that can confirm?

Just saw news footage of downtown Houston lit up like a damn Christmas tree while at the same time they were reporting 6 dead due to trying to stay warm running vehicles in their garages and people charging medical devices off car batteries. My dad in Austin hasn't had power for 2 days now, house is 42 degrees!

[HardToHandle]

The Texas grid handles summer spikes just fine. The issue is that literally half of the wind power is off line and this has been an ever increasing portion of our power. I don't really give a shit WHY its off line, its unacceptable for power supplies to be unreliable.

That's third world level bullshit. If the grid is nearly always at capacity the solution--because this is America, is to build MORE CAPACITY. Anything else is fi'ng stupidity. Reliable power isn't negotiable in a supposed First World nation.

Well, this is what Texas votes for. Elections have consequences. Texas also walled most of the state off from the rest of the US electric grid. This evening, Texas government keeps having to admit their “free market” is broken...two days in a row. http://www.ercot.com/news/trendingto...1/february2021

My understanding, subject to the coming autopsy, is on Monday, nearly 70% of the “lost” generation due to cold was natural gas. 12% lost was wind. So if that is accurate, the wind issue is almost a nonsequiter and a red herring at best.

5A85E56B-8547-4021-A15B-5B6AB7030079.jpeg
Right now the Southwest Power Pool, which includes East Texas all the way to Canadian border is running 13% wind.
https://marketplace.spp.org/pages/generation-mix

All I can gather is four days warning is not enough for Texas to prepare. Leave the rest of us out of your self inflicted wounds.

[Ironman8]

You realize that SPP is only a small slice of Texas (panhandle and east), right. And I’d bet that a good percentage of that 13% wind generation from SPP comes from the panhandle area. Lots of wind farms out that way.

ERCOT is actually 23.4% wind and 2.1% solar as of 2019. Judging by the amount of wind farms being built (and on the books to be built) last year and this year, that number will be higher. And neither of those are doing well during this freeze.

Compounding the issue is the lack of preparations to winterize or at least prepare the coal and gas plants for this weather, plus there was a down nuclear reactor at the nuke plant in south Texas, which feeds much of central Texas and Houston. So, yes, ERCOT and other plant planners dropped the ball bigly, but you can’t tell me that wind and solar isn’t an issue.

Everyone in my industry (electric utilities), who isn’t building these wind/solar farms and/or doesn’t have an agenda, will tell you that it’s a farce and isn’t near as effective (cost or output) as gas or coal. Until something changes in technology with those, it’s really just a joke to think they’re dependable or in any way “green”.

[Leaveammoforme]

"They are cycling the power off for 1/2-1 hour at a time in several service areas.."

Lol.

We have had a total of 9 hours of electricity in the last 72 hours. I'm even about to swap batteries on my Field Pro that doesn't exactly have a small battery.

Third world country crap right here.

[HardToHandle]

SPP’s record wind penetration was 72%, in the last year. It was 13% actual today. Some limited brownouts but they have adequate planning to cover the gaps.

Same story in the non-SPP Midwest, which was way colder and way more dependent on wind than Texas or the SPP. Why can they handle way more wind % but not Texas?

It is only Texas/ERCOT that messes this up regular with Texas-sized consequences. It has been a few days more than a decade since Texas exported its energy problems in the 2011 fiasco - https://www.nerc.com/pa/rrm/ea/Pages...her-Event.aspx.
Effectively the exact same scenario is playing out, natural gas and poor maintenance screwing the pooch during cold weather that was forecast a week ago.

ERCOT can f’up a wet dream. Wind is not the problem, it is the unwillingness of Texas to fix what is ailing them. Very California-esque.